Some jobs do not require an LMIA and allow employers to hire temporary workers without an LMIA or an Open Work Permit. These jobs must be reciprocated between the two countries and can include athletes, education, co-op and cultural jobs. The International Mobility Program (IMP) lets an employer hire a temporary foreign worker without a Labour Market Impact Assessment.
IMP: International Mobility Program
In the International Mobility Program, you must apply for an Open Work Permit to work for any employer for a specified period of time. There are two types of Open Work Permits:
- Restricted Open Work Permit
- Unrestricted Open Work Permit
An open restricted permit may restrict the occupation or location but not the employer.
An open Work Permit under IMP can be issued to a foreign national only under one of the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemptions.
A foreign national may apply for an Open Work Permit outside Canada, at a port of entry or after arrival to Canada, as per program requirements.
